The Intrac MK II: the first(?) semi-auto AK-74 clone in the U.S.

[Shear_stress]

Been interested in the 5.45x39 cartridge for some time and just lucked into an interesting Romanian AK-74 clone as part of a package deal. I wasn't too familiar with this variant so I did a little research. Here's what I've found out so far:

The "MK II" (no other model markings) was manufactured by Ratmil in 1997 and imported by Intrac, the same folks who would later introduce the U.S. to the Springfield XD as the "HS2000". From what I understand about these rifles, they were among the first commercially available semi-auto AK-74 clones brought into this country. Unfortunately, the supply was cut off when Clinton banned the importation of rifles capable of accepting "high-capacity" magazines in 1998.

Compared to other Romanian rifles I've handled, the MK II has some interesting features. First, it was brought stateside as a double stack with all Romanian parts, not sawed and swapped into 922(r) compliance like more recent imports. The receiver has the proper dimples, scope rail, and "Y " reinforcing stamp where the dreaded "third hole" would have been drilled. Also neat is the cocking handle, which is angled upward, a uniquely Romanian feature apparently intended to aid weak hand charging. Most interesting though is the fit and finish, which is far better than the WASR I had. The bolt runs to and fro as smoothly as the Chinese and Bulgarian rifles I've encountered.

I'm looking forward to burning some ammo through this thing whenever the weather improves. For now I'm just curious if anyone is well versed with these rifles.

 

[Hizzie]

Sweet score. Gotta post some pics.

 

[Shear_stress]

Thanks. Let me swap in a pistol grip and compliance parts and take some pics.

 

[Shear_stress]

Here's the rifle posing with some East German bakelite mags and 5.45x39 stripper clips:



This shot shows the upturned charging handle:



This one gives a look at the right side of the receiver.

 

[Hizzie]

Very sweet. CNC Warrior makes several Rommy flash hiders that would look sweet on the muzzle. The Rommy "dong" VFG lower handguard and wire side folder would make a very complete package.

 

[Shear_stress]

Very sweet. CNC Warrior makes several Rommy flash hiders that would look sweet on the muzzle. The Rommy "dong" VFG lower handguard and wire side folder would make a very complete package.

Thanks! Thought about making an AIMS-74 clone. I noticed that AKUSA has a nice 22mm brake as well.

 

[jobu07]

My SAR-2 looks a lot like that, down to the upturned charging handle and dimples. Mine also has the 45 degree gasblock instead of the 74's 90 degree block. I dressed it up more like a 74 by threading the muzzle and putting on 74 brake. They sure are fun aren't they? Gotta love the 5.45 cartridge.

 

[Shear_stress]

My SAR-2 looks a lot like that, down to the upturned charging handle and dimples.

Didn't know the SAR-2 came with the angled charging handle. Pretty cool! I guess these models stem from a time when the Romanians were using a lot more military parts in their commercial rifles. Interesting also that the Romanians stuck with the 45 degree gas block for the 5.45x39mm rifles.

 

[jobu07]

I wish they put the 90 degree block on the 5.45 rifles. It would really complete the package you know?

The numbers all match on my SAR-2 so it should be a random upturned handle bolt thrown in there. I wonder if mine was at the beginning or end of a crop of rifles and happened to be one of the few with that? I'm not sure if other SAR-2's have that or not.

 

[Shear_stress]

Yeah, I wish they had gone with the 90 degree block too. Speaking of matching numbers, only the serial numbered trunnion and selector match on my rifle. The top cover, bolt carrier and bolt have different numbers (thought the bolt and carrier share the same number). Nice to see that the Romanians focus on the important stuff. Can't be too safe

What year was your SAR made?

 

[jobu07]

What year was your SAR made?

Stamped 04 by CIA

 

[Shear_stress]

Stamped 04 by CIA

Seems like one of the last ones imported. Well, I guess there's not much rhyme or reason to these things.

 

[rizbunk77]

Had a CUR II about that vintage, and it was similar.

 

[spyder1969]

Shear_stress

So how do you like the Intrac MKII Romanian AK-74? I picked one up last Monday. It has the folding wire stock. I sold my S&W M&P R 5.45x39 and picked up the AK. I like it.

 

[Pilot]

I have an Intrac MK II that I converted to an AK-74 clone with black polymer furniture. Its a great shooter. It originally came with that short LOP Draganov type stock. I bought it in 1998 or so.

 

[Shear_stress]

So how do you like the Intrac MKII Romanian AK-74? I picked one up last Monday. It has the folding wire stock. I sold my S&W M&P R 5.45x39 and picked up the AK. I like it.

Cool. That wire stock goes a long way toward making the Mk II into an AIMS-74 clone.

My rifle was part of a large package deal, so it would be hard to parse out how much it cost. I believe these things are running anywhere between $400 and $600. How much did you give for yours?

 

[nalioth]

I rescued a "basket case" (previous owner unsuccessfully attempted to do something to it) Intrac MKII and turned it into this:



They are nice rifles, indeed.

 

[spyder1969]

I paid $695. Probably a little more than I should have.